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Chapter 9
Til Birth Does Us Part
© Hanny
Chapter 9
"Teaspoon," Cody started as he approached the older man. "You think we can get to her in time?"
Teaspoon watched the young man riding beside him. The young arrogant boy he hired just over a year ago had grown into a man. And even though he still had this tendency to put his foot in his mouth, he could be found serious on occasions. "I hope so, son." He said finally.
Cody nodded. "Why didn’t she want the Kid to know about this? He would have wanted to marry her."
"That’s exactly why, Cody." Teaspoon sighed. "She didn’t want him to marry her just because of the baby. And he was still with Samantha at that time."
"Yeah, but he broke up with her without knowing about Lou. And she does still love him. We all know that."
"Son," Teaspoon said. "It’s Lou’s decision. And even though I didn’t agree with it and still don’t understand it, it’s still hers to make." Cody tried to say something but Teaspoon held up his hand to stop him. "I don’t think we should discuss it any farther. It’s not our business. And if you still have questions when we find her, you can ask her. And let me know when you come up with a good answer." Teaspoon spurred his horse and rode ahead.
"What was this all about?" Noah asked as he came closer to Cody.
"Just wondered about Lou." He answered.
"Cody, give it a rest, will you?" Noah was a bit irritated by Cody’s constant nosiness. "Lou probably had a very good reason for not wanting to tell the Kid. And I’m sure that if she’ll see it fit, she will tell you all about it."
"Think so?" Cody asked, suddenly enthusiastic.
Noah shook his head in frustration. "You’re hopeless." He said as he followed Teaspoon.
"Now, you’ll do anything just as I say, or Danny will shoot you. Is that clear?" Lou could smell his stinky breath as he ordered her. She closed her eyes against the pain he caused by gripping her arm. "I asked if you’re clear on it."
Lou nodded and opened her eyes as he let go of her arm.
"And don’t try to escape either. As I told you before, Danny is exceptionally good with guns."
She watched as Bob, Henry and Danny took the horses and hide behind the trees. Now she was left only with their leader, waiting for the soon arriving two men.
"Well, Buck, what do you think?" Teaspoon asked Buck who was kneeling on the ground beside a piece of cloth.
"It’s the Kid’s, alright. Looks like he’s been on a fight or something like that." Buck informed the others.
"Well, maybe Jimmy’s found him after all." Cody said, trying to lighten the situation.
"Maybe." Teaspoon sighed. "How far are we from him?"
"I’d say a couple of hours maybe. We’re closer than before."
"Well, then, we better get to him. Boys?" Teaspoon started riding, the boys close behind him.
The Kid and Jimmy rode hard. There had been some protruding tracks that they didn’t have trouble in finding. Obviously, the men they were chasing didn’t know much about covering their tracks.
The both of them stopped dead at the sight in front of them. Lou was sitting on the ground, all beaten up. A man was standing in front of her, pointing a gun at them. He shot his gun in the air, and then aimed it back at the Kid and Jimmy. "Stay where you are!" He ordered them.
"Be careful, Kid." Jimmy hissed trough his lips, as he saw the look on Kid’s face and his hand reaching for his gun. "There are more men hiding someplace."
"Drop your guns and put your hand where I can see them." The man in front of them said.
The Kid tried to look at Lou for any reaction, but the man was blocking her. Eventually, Jimmy and the Kid reluctantly dropped their guns to the ground.
"We ain’t looking for no trouble, sir." Jimmy said with the calmest voice he could master at this moment.
"What do you want then?" The man asked.
"We only pass through here on our way. What seems to be the problem with her?" Jimmy asked pointing at Lou.
"These men followed us and stole all our money. And they beat up my wife here even though we told them she’s pregnant." The man said without a moment’s hesitation.
"How did you get here?" Jimmy asked.
The man eyed the Kid, who was still trying to get a better look at Lou, suspiciously. "We had a horse and a wagon, but them thieves took it too." After a second he continued, "Is he alright?" He whispered pointing toward the Kid.
"Yeah. He’s a doctor. Maybe he could help you somehow." Jimmy offered.
The man pondered that for a second. "Yes, I guess." He said.
"Kid?" Jimmy called his name for the fourth time before he answered.
"Uh? Yeah?" He asked.
"I told the man here that you’d check on his wife, since you’re a doctor and everything." Jimmy said in a tone that suggested that the Kid would cooperate.
"Oh, sure." The Kid said absentmindedly as he dismounted and walked toward her.
"What’s your name, ma’am?" He asked as he came closer.
"Louise." She said tiredly.
"Mrs. Louise," he said, "I would like to examine you. Is that alright with you?"
Lou nodded but then said faintly, "But can we have some privacy."
"Well, sweetheart," the man said, "I’m your husband, I want to stay here and make sure this man won’t hurt you. After all, he could be just like those others." He had an evil grin on his face. "But the other one can go in the mean time." He added, pointing toward Jimmy.
"No." The Kid said, afraid to let Jimmy go alone when the rest of the gang was still close by and free. "He’s my assistant. I need him here."
"All right then, hurry up with your examination." The man said.
Kid looked questioningly at Jimmy and then at Lou who was too tired to notice. He stroked her hair gently. He gently touched her abdomen, pretending to be examining her and then turned toward the man. "She needs to be lay in a bed." He said. "She needs to rest."
"Maybe we should take her with us." Jimmy suggested.
"I’m afraid that’s not possible." The man said. "You see, my wife is very sick. I wouldn’t leave her with two strangers, no offense."
Jimmy looked at the Kid.
"Than I guess we’ll ride to the nearest town and bring a wagon for you." The Kid said calmly.
Jimmy looked at him bewildered. Kid is willingly going to leave Lou with them? He thought.
The look on Kid’s face told him that he had a plan.
"You still haven’t told me how you know all that much about pregnancies." Teaspoon said to Buck when they stopped for a few minutes to water the horses.
"Uh?" Buck was a bit startled by Teaspoon. "I don’t know all that much."
"What do you know about it?" Teaspoon asked. Though he had a lot of experience in lot of fields, that one thing he didn’t know all that much about since he never had any kids himself, at least not that he knew of while they were still alive…
"I only know that the first months are the trickiest. That the woman has to rest, that she can’t ride."
"What might happen if she would?" Teaspoon asked, dreading the answer.
"Ride?" Buck asked. "It could be dangerous for both the mother and the baby." He answered after a long sigh.
"So Lou is in a very hazardous situation here." Teaspoon considered what Buck just told him.
Buck nodded. "And even if she would survive, there’s a chance that she won’t be able to have children again."
"Oh, Lord." Teaspoon sighed. "What has this girl got herself into this time…"
"So. You think you are smart, uh?" The man in front of her said. "Thought you could get rid of me so easily? I’m your husband. Remember?" The man laughed shortly before grabbing her hair and forcing her head down so she had to look straight into his eyes.
Lou blinked at the pain that controlled her body. She couldn’t move at all. And now the Kid and Jimmy were gone. The Kid must be really angry with me if he left me here with these men, She thought. Through the pain in her eyes it was hard for her to see the meaningful glances the Kid and Jimmy exchanged. Nor did she hear the Kid whisper to her that he loves her.
The man grabbed her arm and forced her to stand, making her cry in pain. This pain was like nothing she’d ever experienced. So intense. And it wrapped her whole body. Her hand was obviously broken, and the beatings and the slaps on her face caused her more pain. But there was something else. Something she couldn’t identify as anything she’d ever endured before.
"Get up!" The man hollered at her.
"I can’t." She cried.
"What should we do with her?" Henry asked as he and the other two came out of the trees.
"Why won’t we just kill her and get rid of her." Bob asked.
"Cause we need her, you dumb fool. She’s our ticket out of the bank. They wouldn’t shoot us if there’s a little pregnant woman with us, now would they?" The boss said angrily.
"So what are we going to do with her?" Henry asked again.
Lou was only vaguely aware of the men’s talk. She felt a sharp pain and then all became black.
"What now?" Henry asked as he watched her loosing her consciousness.
"Damn!" The boss cursed. "We have to wake her up before we can continue. Bob, go get me some water."
"Kid!" Jimmy called his friend for the millionth time. "Kid!"
"Uh?" The Kid was lost in his thought.
"What’s the plan?"
"What plan?" Kid asked.
"The plan to get Lou out of there. You know, the plan."
"I don’t have a plan, Jimmy." Kid answered.
"What do you mean ‘you don’t have a plan’? Then what the hell were you thinking leaving her with them?" Jimmy yelled at him. Was Kid that upset that he won't even help Lou? Jimmy thought amazed.
"We’re not leaving her there." Kid answered calmly.
"But…" Jimmy started.
"We’re heading back there. From behind." Kid explained.
Only now Jimmy looked around him to see that they were indeed just circling the outlaws from behind. "Sorry." He said. "I thought…"
"That I didn’t care about her?" Kid was more than just a bit hurt.
"I’m sorry. It’s just that with everything going on I didn’t know what to think anymore." Jimmy suddenly felt like Cody. "I shouldn’t have doubted you."
"No, you shouldn’t have. But lets concentrate on getting Lou out safe. We’ll have time to deal with your mistrust in me later." Kid said.
"What are we going to do when we’ll get to them?" Jimmy asked.
"Nothing. Lou could get hurt. She’s right in the middle of everything. And she’s too weak to move by herself. We’ll just watch that nothing happens to her. That’s all we can do."
"Why can’t we take them down?" Jimmy asked.
"Are you nuts?" Kid was getting angry by Jimmy’s foolishness. "By the hoof prints there are four of them and only two of us. In addition they have Lou and she might be caught in the crossfire. We’ll have to wait for the others."
"What if they won’t be here on time, Kid?"
"If these men try anything before Teaspoon and the others gets here than we’ll have to fight them, but lets just hope that they will be here on time." The Kid said in a serious tone.
"Howdy." Teaspoon greeted the four men before him.
"Good afternoon, Marshal." One of the men answered.
"What seems to be the problem with this woman?" Teaspoon asked referring to Lou.
"Who? Her? My wife’s a bit sick." He said. Then remembering what Lou’s been telling him about her marshal friend, he decided to try his old story again. "We’ve been attacked by some thieves." He said. "They stole our horses and wagon and beat up my wife. They headed that way." He said pointing in the opposite direction Teaspoon has come from.
"How many were they?" Teaspoon asked, making no intention to try and catch the ‘thieves’.
"Ten." The man said without even blinking.
"Ten, uh? You hear this, Buck?" Teaspoon asked.
Buck nodded.
"And when did they attack you?" Teaspoon continued his interrogation.
"Three hours ago." The man said, starting to lose his patience. "Why aren’t you going after them?" He asked.
"I think we’d better check on the girl first." Teaspoon said motioning with his head to Cody and Ike to check on her.
"Some doctor had already examined her." The man said quickly as Cody and Ike dismounted.
"And?" Teaspoon was waiting for him to continue.
"And he said he will get us a wagon cause she can’t ride."
"Well, do you mind if my boys here will take a look at her? They have some experience in medicine."
"Uh… No… Sure…" The man said a bit hesitantly. "I guess it can’t hurt none."
Cody and Ike approached the unconscious Lou. Ike threw Cody a nervous glance as he realized the state she was in.
"Kid!" Jimmy pocked him in his ribs. "Look!"
The Kid looked at what Jimmy was pointing at. "Teaspoon!"
Now they had to get his attention.
"She’s unconscious." Cody said as he returned to where Teaspoon was now standing, talking to the man.
"They beat her up pretty bad." The man said. With every minute that passed he was feeling more and more confident. Had they suspected anything they would’ve done their move by now, he thought.
Teaspoon looked at where Lou was lying curled. Ike was patting her hair. "When did this doctor said he’ll be back?" He asked.
"Well, they only left us two hours ago. It will probably take them some time."
"Them?" Teaspoon asked
"Yeah." The man said. "There was another man with him."
"What did they look like?" Teaspoon asked.
"I don’t know. The doctor had a short curly brown hair, the other one has longer hair. Also brown. Their horses sure looked like they’ve been riding hard." He added.
"Was one of the horses a painted mare?" Teaspoon asked.
"Well, yes. How did you know?" The man asked.
"They are the ones we’re looking for." Teaspoon answered. "You’re lucky they didn’t kill you. These two are the most deadly men you’ve ever meet."
"Then I guess we are lucky." The man said.
"Yeah. I guess you can say that. They’re getting the deadliest when dealing with their woman."
"What do you mean?" The man didn’t quite understand.
"I said that you’re very lucky that they didn’t kill you for taking their woman." Teaspoon repeated.
Finally the boys understood what teaspoon getting to. They each reached for their guns, smoothly enough as not to draw too much attention from the men.
"Kid!" Jimmy tried to get his friend’s attention. Kid could not take his eyes off of Lou. "Kid!" He repeated. "Something’s going on there!"
"What?" The Kid asked.
"I don’t know but it looks like Teaspoon’s finally came up with some sort of a plan. We’d better get ready to help them."
"I just hope Teaspoon knows what he’s doing."
"Yeah, me too." Jimmy said silently.
The both of them drew their guns and looked at the scene in front of them.
"What is he saying?" The Kid asked.
"Kid, I can hear him just as good as you can." Jimmy said irritated. "Let’s get closer."
"What woman?" The man in front of them asked.
"That woman!" Teaspoon said, drawing his gun and pointing it toward the man in front of him.
The boys quickly followed his example, the Kid and Jimmy included.
"What’s he doing?" The Kid asked horrified. "Lou can get hurt." He made an attempt to move toward the others, but Jimmy put a refraining hand on his shoulder.
"Don’t go there, Kid. They might be needing us in the shadows." He reasoned.
"Drop your guns and put your hands in the air." Teaspoon said. "You’re arrested for kidnapping and attempted murder."
"What are you talking about?" The man asked, trying to get closer toward Lou.
"Stop right where you are!" Jimmy called from behind.
Both he and the Kid emerged from the trees, aiming their guns at the men.
"Nice of you to show up." Cody said.
"I was just about to say the same thing." Jimmy answered.
"Noah, Buck, tie these scum bags tight enough so it hurts." Teaspoon said. He had no mercy toward the men who put the life of his female rider in danger.
While Buck and Noah tied the men, the Kid thought it was safe enough to leave it to Jimmy, Teaspoon and Cody to watch guard and with one stride he was by Lou’s side.
He looked at her, his heart full of pain and sorrow. He reached his hand to touch her face, but was afraid that he would hurt her if he did.
Ike stared at him for a second and then moved away, not wanting to intrude.
The Kid’s eyes filled with tears as he saw her beaten face. "Lou…" He started, gently touching her shoulder. He cleared his throat from the tears that filled it. "Sweetheart, wake up."
He felt despair engulf him when she didn’t answer his touch nor his voice.
"Lou…" He started again. "Louise, please wake up. Wake up, honey."
By that time the men were already tied and mounted on their horses.
"Cody, Buck, Ike and Noah, take these man and lock them in the jail. Then I want one of you to get a wagon here so we can bring Louise home."
The four riders with their prisoners headed toward Sweetwater. They had a long journey ahead of them and they hoped they would make it back to Lou in time. She looked so sick and so weak. None of them had ever seen her like that.
Teaspoon and Jimmy watched the departing riders until they disappeared. Then Teaspoon approached the Kid who was still trying to wake Lou up. He was now sitting on the ground, Lou’s head in his lap. He was caressing her hair, occasionally wiping tears from his face.
"She still hasn’t woke up yet, Teaspoon." He said in a breaking voice, his eyes never leaving the girl in his arms.
Teaspoon kneeled beside him. "These bastards." He cursed.
Kid looked at him. "I think she’s running a fever." He said.
Teaspoon touched her forehead. His face told the Kid everything he needed to know. It was a high fever.
Jimmy came closer to his friends. "How is she?" He asked.
Teaspoon sighed as he stood up. He put a reassuring hand on Jimmy’s shoulder and walked away.
Jimmy watched his two best friends. "Kid," He started. "Can I do anything?" He asked.
"I can’t lose her, Jimmy." The Kid said.
"You’re not going to. Everything will turn out fine. You’ll see." Jimmy tried to encourage him.
"I love her, Jimmy." The Kid said.
"I know you do." Jimmy said.
Kid shook his head. "No. It’s different. It’s different from what you think." He said. "I won’t be able to live without her. Jimmy, I need her to breathe."
Jimmy looked at Kid and then at Lou. "She will be fine, Kid." He said in a trembling voice.
Something has woken me up, he thought, immediately angry with himself for falling asleep. What was it?
Then there was another one. Another moan. He looked down. Lou was stirring. It seemed as if her fever broke down.
"Lou?" He caressed her cheek. "Lou, honey, it’s o.k. You’re safe now." He whispered to her. He glanced around him quickly. Jimmy and Teaspoon were sleeping around the fire.
"Kid?" Lou moaned.
"Yes, sweetheart." He moved a stubborn hair from her face.
"It hurts." She managed after a few seconds.
"Where?" He asked.
She couldn’t answer him, tears running from her eyes, staining her face.
"Lou, honey, just tell me where."
"Kid, I’m so sorry." She cried.
"Shhhh. You’ll be alright." He tried to sooth her.
By now Teaspoon and Jimmy have awakened and were by their side.
"Louise, how are you feeling, sweetheart?" Teaspoon asked her.
"She’s in pain." The Kid answered for her.
"Kid, Jimmy, would you please go look for some more wood for the fire?" Teaspoon asked as he kneeled beside Lou.
"What?" Jimmy cried. "Teaspoon, it’s pitch dark. Beside, we’ve collected enough wood already."
Teaspoon gave him a please-do-what-I’ve-told-you look and Jimmy shrugged and walked into the night.
Kid stared evenly at Teaspoon eyes as he returned his gaze to him. "I’m not leaving her, Teaspoon." He said.
"Kid, please, I want to talk to Lou. Alone." When he saw the Kid wouldn’t give up he continued. "I won’t let anything happen to her. Now go."
The Kid reluctantly lifted her and passed her on into Teaspoon’s waiting arms. "Just…" He started. "Just don’t let anything, anything, happen to her."
"I won’t." Teaspoon promised.
The Kid kissed Lou’s forehead lightly and went after Jimmy.
"Teaspoon…" Lou started after he was gone. "I’m losing the baby."
"No, you’re not, Lou. You just have to be strong now. Everything will work out fine. You’ll see."
"But it hurts so much." She cried.
Teaspoon searched his mind for words of comfort but found none. "Lou, there’s something you need to know." He said after a couple of minutes.
She opened her eyes to him, waiting to hear what he had to say.
"Sweetheart, the Kid has found out about the baby." Teaspoon thought he should tell her that without the boys around, give her time to ponder it.
Lou closed her eyes. "I’m so sorry, Teaspoon. He must be hating me now." She cried in shame.
"No, Lou, he loves you. You know that he does. I just thought you should know that he knows."
"How did he find out?" She asked.
"Never mind that now, honey. It was an accident. You rest now, and we’ll tell you all about it later." He said. "Why won’t you try and get some sleep now, honey?" He suggested.
Lou closed her eyes and soon was sleeping restlessly.
After a few minutes the Kid kneeled beside Teaspoon. "How is she?" He asked.
"She’s losing the baby." Teaspoon answered him.
The Kid opened his mouth to say something but couldn’t muster the words. He looked around, his eyes filling with tears again.
"I’m sorry, son." Teaspoon said.
"Yeah, well." The Kid said finally.
"Kid, just be there for her."
"What do you mean, Teaspoon? Of course I’ll be there for her."
"I know you will, Kid. I know you will."
They sat there in silence until the morning came.
Epilogue
The next time Lou awoke she found herself staring in blue tearful eyes. Eyes that she knew so well. She saw the love she had once found in them was still there.
"Hey." The Kid smiled at her. "How are you feeling?"
"I’m sorry, Kid." She whispered.
"Shhhh. It’s o.k."
"I should’ve told you."
"It’s o.k. now, Lou. And it’s me who should be sorry." When he saw the question in her eyes he continued. "I wasn’t there for you. I should’ve been…"
"No, Kid…" Lou tried to stop him but he wouldn’t let her.
"I love you, Lou." He said. "And I promise you I would never let anything happen to you."
He leaned down and kissed her lips gently. When he backed off he saw the disappointment in her eyes. "What?"
"I love you too, Kid." She said.
He leaned again and kissed her longer.
Lou knew that she has lost the baby and she knew that the Kid also knew it. But at that moment it didn’t matter to her. She was safe in the arms of the man she loved with all of her heart, the man who loved her with all of his.
She knew they were destined to be together.
She knew some day they will have lots of kids and they will all live happily ever after.
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